Iti rearea teitei, kahikatea ka taea
Māori Television news reporter Mere Kuia McLean is the recipient of Te Reo Māori Excellence Award and the Academic Excellence Award at this year’s Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Graduation. She was valedictory speaking on behalf of all graduates.
Ms McLean graduated from Awanuiārangi with a Bachelor of Matauranga Māori and was an exemplary student who according to her lecturers was committed to enhancing and raising the standard of her reo Māori.
“She is motivated by the desire to explore the utmost breadth and depth of Te reo Māori. A model student pledged to learning all she can during her study, one of her lecturers said. Embraced by her elders during her childhood she received early tutelage in her reo Māori from them, and especially from her grandmother who was her language patron during those early years. She is an experienced broadcaster and journalist, working for many years with The Sun radio station, and Māori Television.
Mere is also an accomplished kapa haka performer who with Ruatahuna has achieved many top honours performing at the Te Hui Ahurei o Tuhoe, Mataatua regionals and nationally at Te Matatini. She is actively involved in supporting the community efforts of her people of Murupara and Ruatahuna and especially in raising the personal aspirations of the young people of those districts.
A young person she has her own attractive and charming personality and a humbleness recognized by those around her. She draws inspiration from the birds of Te Urewera who aspire to reach the top-most canopy and there to sing their songs of encouragement to all.
